Seven-Term Windsor Mayor Donald Trinks Running Again

Democrat slate in Windsor includes one new candidate for council and two for BOE

WINDSOR — Seven-term Mayor Donald Trinks is running for re-election.

Trinks, who has spent 10 terms on the council and been given the honorary title of mayor for being the highest vote-getter the last seven, said Thursday that, as in election years past, he considered walking away from politics to focus on running his business, Bart's Drive In Restaurant.

But with the current state of the town's budget — three failures and counting at referendum — and an erosion of decorum during council meetings — accusations of racism and lying — Trinks decided to run one more time.

"I don't want to leave the town with this polarization and animosity," he said.

On the subject of the budget, Trinks said that once it gets passed, the council needs to reach out to the opposition.

"I want to find out why there's a heightened sense of frustration [with the budget]. We need to do a better job of outreach and see what's on their minds," he said.

As for the declining decorum in council meetings, Trinks said that springs from passion and frustration as well, but he doesn't like it.

"Even though we are volunteers we should be professionals within the confines of council chambers," he said.

And on the subject of being the top vote-getter for seven straight races, Trinks said that his family is as dumbfounded by the streak as he is, but that he thinks it might have something to do with who he is.

"I'm as regular a guy as you get, happy to be in shorts and a T-shirt," he said, adding, "I love this town. I love everything about it."

Democratic Town Committee Chairman Tim Curtis said Thursday that the party is happy to have Trinks back for another race, joining an endorsed slate for town council that features experience and a newcomer.